Magnetic Interlayer for Reduced Effective Spacing in Recording Media

Solution Overview

Problem

Current magnetic recording technologies face limitations in reducing head media spacing (HMS) and head keeper spacing (HKS), which restrict the increase in areal density, and conventional scaling laws cannot be maintained to further decrease these spacings, affecting the thermal stability and writability of magnetic recording media.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating paramagnetic or ferromagnetic materials as overcoats or interlayers with higher permeability, such as Ru, Fe, Co, Ni, and C, to reduce effective magnetic spacing without altering physical spacing, thereby enhancing areal density and write field performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If head media spacing (HMS) and head keeper spacing (HKS) are reduced to increase areal density, then areal density improves, but thermal stability and writability deteriorate due to conventional scaling limits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveareal densityVSAvoidthermal stability and writability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the magnetic permeability parameter of the interlayer from conventional non-magnetic (μ≈1) to high-permeability magnetic material (μ>>1). This parameter change allows the system to achieve effective magnetic spacing reduction without physical spacing reduction, thereby increasing areal density while maintaining thermal stability and writability through preserved physical spacing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a high-permeability magnetic interlayer as an intermediary component between the soft underlayer and the magnetic recording layer. This intermediary material acts as a magnetic flux guide that concentrates and directs magnetic flux, effectively reducing the magnetic spacing without requiring physical proximity, thus resolving the contradiction between areal density and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If physical spacing is reduced to break scaling projection limits, then areal density increases, but perpendicular orientation and grain separation are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveareal densityVSAvoidperpendicular orientation and grain separation

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the magnetic permeability parameter of the interlayer from conventional non-magnetic (μ≈1) to high-permeability magnetic material (μ>>1). This parameter change allows the system to achieve effective magnetic spacing reduction without physical spacing reduction, thereby increasing areal density while maintaining thermal stability and writability through preserved physical spacing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a high-permeability magnetic interlayer as an intermediary component between the soft underlayer and the magnetic recording layer. This intermediary material acts as a magnetic flux guide that concentrates and directs magnetic flux, effectively reducing the magnetic spacing without requiring physical proximity, thus resolving the contradiction between areal density and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach increases areal density by up to 25% and improves write field and field gradient without sacrificing physical spacing-dependent parameters like perpendicular orientation and grain separation, breaking scaling projection limits and enhancing media stability.

Implementation Method 1

Incorporating paramagnetic or ferromagnetic materials as overcoats or interlayers with higher permeability, such as Ru, Fe, Co, Ni, and C, to reduce effective magnetic spacing without altering physical spacing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic permeability: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS9299379B2Reduced spacing recording apparatus

Publication Date: 2016.03.29 SEAGATE TECH LLC

AI summary

Aspects include recording media with enhanced areal density through reduction of head media spacing, head keeper spacing, or head to soft underlayer spacing. Such aspects comprise replacing currently non-magnetic components of devices, such as interlayers and overcoats with components and compositions comprising magnetic materials. Other aspects relate to magnetic seed layers deposited within a recording medium. Preferably, these aspects, embodied as methods, systems and/or components thereof reduce effective magnetic spacing without sacrificing physical spacing.